Album Rating: 4.0

this album is deff different than their older stuff so it does take some getting used to but i think there are still some great tracks on here that are deff worth listening to. all together i think the album is put together really well. i just hope their next one is better and they go back to their roots a tad more but while still maintaining a new sound.

on a side note the guitar isnt as significant in this album compared to their other ones.

Album Rating: 4.0

this is deff an interesting album. Sonata Arctica seems to have taken a slightly different perspective on this album than their other ones. They wane from their 'power-metal' roots and head for something more contemporary.



The guitar seems to be less significant in this album then in their previous albums. There are however some lovely melodic solos in a few select songs. A lot of orchestration, which helps bring out a new sound. Orchestration is a ++ in this one. Very well done.



Lyrics are lacking...a lot. Some of the songs are really hard to capture the understanding of the words he chose to use. Most don't even seem to flow together; jumping all over the place. Fly with The Black Swan is a prime example. I can't tell if there are double meanings, or if the lyrics are just simply meant to capture you in the moment of the line or chorus and disregard the following lyrics that developed up to that point in the song, or if Tony Kakko has finally lost his damn mind.



Deff worth buying in my opinion. At first its shocking because it's something you're not typically going to be used to from Sonata Arctica, but if you spin it a couple more times, believe me, you'll love it. There are some seriously noteworthy songs on here that are going to be remembered for a long time in Sonata Arctica's history and the quality of the sound, kakko's vocals, and the orchestra are orgasmic.



Songs that constantly draw me in to listen to again are:



(in order of preference)



The Harvest - (very solid and has a good feel. classic.)

Good Enough is Good Enough -(epic ballad. another classic.)

Caleb - (another very solid rock song that youll keep comin bak to. amazing vocals.)

Paid in Full - (rock solid. kicks off the album really well)

It Won't Fade - (solid. blends new sound with good elements)

My Dream's But a Drop of Fuel for a Nightmare - (very new and contemporary. this is a prime example of their new direction on this album. some of it seems random, but overall blends nicely)

In The Black and White - (even though this song is more on the average side than the rest of the album, it is still a solid track.)



Weaker songs of note: (no order)



The World's Forgotten, The World's Forbidden - (what the hell? i think they just stuck it in Unia because the Winterheart's Guild videogame never came through (fyi this was the song that was supposed to be in the game))

Fly with the Black Swan - (hit or miss sound-wise, but the lyrics are just retarted)

The Vice - (just a so-so song all around.)

For The Sake of Revenge - (so-so all around)This Message Edited On 09.28.07

Album Rating: 2.5

Lyrics are lacking...a lot

Album Rating: 4.0

I listened to this today. I've decided I like the vocals more than anything

Album Rating: 4.0

awesome album and good review... ecliptica is still sonata's best album though... still cant get enough of fullmoon

Album Rating: 4.0

Seeing Sonata Arctica live tonight! My sister got me tickets for Christmas, should be amazing. They have 5 opening bands though... Sanctity, Dystrophy, Ethereality, Severed Hand and Reaper. Im hoping SA's setlist is still long enough.

And yes, I am missing the Super Bowl to go see this.

Album Rating: 4.0

SA are good live. I saw them in November and they ruled.

Album Rating: 4.5

Lyrics are lacking...a lot

The main problem that I find with Unia is that the stories in alot of the songs are not told as well as in previous Albums.

Some I can't piece together any sort of story at all, or any meaning, for that matter.


In that respect, The Vice started out very well. There was a story being told, and then it just BROKE. Once the "Hate me, hate me"s began the song just fell apart, along with whatever coherent meaning there was in the lyrics.


"Lyrics are lacking...a lot. Some of the songs are really hard to capture the understanding of the words he chose to use. Most don't even seem to flow together; jumping all over the place. Fly with The Black Swan is a prime example. I can't tell if there are double meanings, or if the lyrics are just simply meant to capture you in the moment of the line or chorus and disregard the following lyrics that developed up to that point in the song, or if Tony Kakko has finally lost his damn mind. "

Yes, this is exactly what I'm bothered about.This Message Edited On 01.07.09

Album Rating: 4.0

Took me a while to finally get this album but I did. It's definitely very good, but hard to get into. I'm on my third listen and it grows with every listen though. My favorite is In Black and White, but The Harvest, Caleb, Paid in Full, and It Won't Fade are also up there.



Also I didnt think Under Your Tree was that bad of a ballad, just cheesy as hell. I agree that Good Enough was kinda bad though.

Album Rating: 1.5

Dude!! New Katatonia sucks!!! The mid-period is where they were good at.

Album Rating: 1.5

Stratovarius (except Sonata Arctica actually knows how to write music)

Paid in full is an awesome song. I'm thinking of getting my hands on the rest of this album.

Album Rating: 5.0

It took me a while to get used to the more Progressive sound to Sonata Arctica, at first it sounded terrible because it was so different and not what i was expecting. But after a few listens it grew on me, and i found myself liking the songs from Unia more than some of the songs from thier good songs from other albums

you are wrong

Album Rating: 4.0

such a spring album :^)

Album Rating: 3.0

Love that smooth transition ~3:20 into It Won't Fade



Finally slowly coming around to this album